Members of the Mesothelioma & Asbestos Center are urging WWII Navy veterans to schedule appointments with their physicians to be checked for asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
The center has been issuing reports stating that men and women who served aboard and worked on U.S. navy ships during WWII are at risk of developing a fatal disease due to the levels of asbestos used to build the ships.
Where Asbestos is found on U.S. Navy Ships
Asbestos use was not banned until the 1980s when its deadly effects were discovered. Before that, asbestos was widely used in the U.S. shipbuilding industry due to its durability. Asbestos can be found in products aboard navy ships built before the 1980s such as “insulation and floor and ceiling tiles.”
Because the effects of asbestos were not discovered until the late 1970s and strict regulations of its use were not enforced until the 1980s, many WWII veterans and workers who maintained and repaired the ships were exposed to high levels of the toxin without their knowledge.
Unfortunately, many of these men and women are just now starting to develop fatal asbestos-caused diseases such as mesothelioma cancer.
Mesothelioma Can Take Years to Develop
According to reports, mesothelioma can take up to 50 years to develop after initial asbestos exposure. Because of this latency period, many veterans, who are well into their 70s and 80s, are just now experiencing the affects of the toxic exposure.
There are three types of the rare cancer: “pleural, which occurs in the lining of the lungs; peritoneal, which manifests within the lining of the abdomen, and pericardial, which affects the lining of the heart.” Despite the type of mesothelioma cancer a navy veteran is diagnosed with, according to the Mesothelioma & Asbestos Center, most cases share the same fatal results.
Reports indicate that most mesothelioma patients die within two years of diagnosis. There is currently no cure for the rare form of cancer, only treatments that help maintain the quality of life by easing some of the symptoms.
(Source: Trans World News)
Have you or someone you love been affected by asbestos exposure during WWII? If so, contact us today to speak with an experienced asbestos attorney who is familiar with the toxic mineral and will fight to protect your legal rights.
